Creeper for tractor belts



M815, 1931. v. @.HONSTAIN '1,820,743

GREEPEB FOR TRACTOR BELTS v Filed Feb. 9. 192e w17 ////y j 1' n vent-or; Vernon Honsain.

torneys,

Patentedkr Aug. 25, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT raies VERNON G. HONSTAIN, kOQE MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA carnaval; Fort TRACTOR BELTS f Application filed February 9, 1928. `Serial No. 253,629.

snow. I have found that slipping both lengthv wise and sidewise of the tractor is very effectively prevented by providing the tractor belt with a plurality of groups of calks arranged in such manner that each group of calks extends transversely of thebelt with the calks of each group arranged in offset relation to one another. A convenient formv of such offset relationship is produced by arranging the calks of each group such manner that they lie along a curved line passing from one side of the belt to the other side. The calks when vthus arranged retain their full efliciency in regard to preventing lengthwise'slipy of the tractor chain, and at the same time the tendency of the tractor to slip sidewise 1s very much yless than would be the case if the calks were arranged lin straightlines transversely ef the belt. As a further feature of my invention, I attach the calks to thebelt in such manner that they may be readily removed for I sharpening or replacement and may also be removed when it is desired to run the tractor without them. The full objects and advantages of my invention will appear in connection with the detailed description thereof, and the novel features of my inventive idea will be particularfor receiving the end portions of the rib 18.

ly pointed out in the claims. Y

In the accompanying drawings which illustra) e one form in which my invention may be embodieh- Fig. 1 is a plan view of a concrete example of the invention applied to a tractor belt. Fig. 2 is a view in section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view in section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. n y

The tractor belt to which the Creeper is at- I am aware that itk .tached may be of any suitable construction. 1

and is shown as comprising a succession of plates 10 upon the ground engaging sides of which there are transverse Wedge-shaped bars or lugs 12 located yat the forward ends of the plates. These plates in the embodiment shown are secured to a chain 14 by bolts 16 and 17 passing therethrough. The bolts 16 pass through ribs 18 on the underside of the plates. preferably in the form of a castingconsisting of a base member 20 which carries a curved VMy attachment comprises a block n projection 22 as will be apparent from Fig. 1, u

the base member also being vprovided `with lugs 24 through which bolts 26 extend for f sa" f securing the block orcasting to one of the plates 10. It will beunderstood that each ofV the plates l() of the belt is preferably pro-v vided with one of the blocks or castings. The

curved projection 22 is provided with a seriesvr of spaced holes each of which receives'the shank of a calk 28. .v In the embodiment shown, there'are seven of these calks in the group carried by each casting, these calks of course being arranged on a curve due to the curvature of thefprojection 22. The calks may be secured in any suitable manner and as shown have tapered Shanks 30 which fit into correspondingly tapered holes in the projection 22 so asto be held firmly `when driven l in. The calks are preferably wedge shaped with their widths disposed transversely when be sharpened or replaced with new calks. As Vwill also be apparent from Fig. 3, the ends of 'in place. As shown in Fig. 3, the casting the casting are provided with depressions 311 The operation and advantages of my ini yvention will be readily understoodvin conich I claim:

A Creeper for endless tractor belts coniprising a castingT which includes a base member and a curved projection extending laterally across the outer face of the base member, said projection containing a plurality of holes whose inner end portions are enlarged and whose outer end portions taper inwardly, the ends of said base member being provided with transverse depressions which open into the enlarged end portions of the two outside holes in said proj ection7 said depressions beiner adapted to receive a transverse rib on the underside of a plate of the tractor belt,calks having` tapered Shanks inserted in the tapered portions of said holes, and means for securing said casting to a plate of the tractor belt.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

VERNON G. HONSTAIN. 

